rTMS, as it is called, is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that increases neural blood flow in the brain. The procedure is not a surgical one, and should not be confused with Electroconvulsive Therapy

In rTMS, a doctor holds a device over a specified area of the brain. Magnetic currents pass through the scalp, sending bursts of electrical fields deep into the brain to alter neural activity.

I'm like 'clueless' - that's really interesting. I wonder if it serves to encourage new neural pathways to develop, in the same manner as repetitive, purposeful actions work on brain plasticity.

I just recently learned that non-suicidal MDD patients share an elevated level of IL-6 with patients who have Multiple Sclerosis or Transverse Myelitis. This is of particular interest since I was diagnosed with a Depressive Disorder (never suicidal) years before I was finally diagnosed with MS.

Dear Clueless,If I had to choose a different career, I think I'd be a neurologist. The way our neuropathways work intrigues me.

Dear GOM,I want to get certified in EMDR. I believe there is a strong neurobiology to repetitive eye movement and neural pathways. So glad it helped you. Wonderful to read that!!

Dear Lisa,We are learning more and more each day about neural pathways, how the brain can re-learn and even create new pathways. Amazing stuff, I agree. Didn't know that about the elevated levels. See, blogging is great for sharing and learning new things. I'm gonna check that commonality out now.

Dear Barbara,It HAS been used for Tinnitus. I forgot to mention that. Check it out for yourself and let us know!!

I would imagine magnetic therapy could be very useful under the right person's care. This is really encouraging, especially for people that are unsuccessful to find relief with other means. I cannot imagine how wonderful it must be for someone with hallucinations to finally find a solution.

I remembering hearing about rTMS when it was first being used in treatment-resistant patients and I thought it was fascinating. I think it's definitely another option for those who are having a terrible time trying to improve their depressive symptoms.

I think the concept is intriguing, and the non-invasive aspect of it is especially interesting. Must read more on this. I know a guy who works locally on the premise of resonant light therapy, and I've written features on him. He believes in it with all his heart and so do some other therapists.

Would like to see outcome study with "standing on one's head" as a control group and other forms of posturing to produce more blood flow to the brain. Like one of those upside down contraptions. Have read anecdotal claims that this improves mood.

I'd heard about magnetic therapy awhile ago. After experiencing years of failure with so many treatments, including invasive ones like ECT and the VNS implant, I personally hold no hope that anything will work for me.

I still find it good though that researchers are trying new things. Hopefully others with treatment resistent depression will find relief with one of the new methods they're experimenting with.

Spent my life working around high powered transmitters, (radio waves and magnetism are two sides of the same coin, one creates t'other) and my gut feeling is that magnetics such as this are a pretty blunt instrument. I watched a bird go crazy in the beam of a radar transmitter, and die by repeatedly flying into the ground. So there is no doubt in my mind that something is going on. I just can't bring myself to believe that it could be anything good! On the other hand, if you like, I will sell you a pretty little copper bracelet with 25 cents worth of rare earth magnets in it for only 25 dollars! I have heard there are some "good results", expecially be the people marketing such bogus products.

I am not so convinced rTMS might work for treatment resistant depression. Recent literature is disappointing, for more information please visit my blog:http://ectweb.blogspot.com/2008/05/rtms-not-effective-for-depression.htmlRegards Dr Shock

About Me

A psychologist and practicing psychoanalyst, Dr. Deborah Serani specializes in treating trauma and depression. Information provided in this blog is to be used for educational purposes only. It should NOT be used as a substitute for therapy.